Navy dad charged in second abuse of son

PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) - A 21-year-old Navy dad is facing another set of child abuse charges after his child was admitted to the hospital with a broken rib.

Matthew Strawn was charged last month for abusing his 11-day-old son while he was in the intensive care unit at Portsmouth Naval Medical Center. During that incident, investigators said the child was covered in bruises while in the Neo Natal Intensive Care Unit and had allegedly been bitten by his own father.

Matthew Strawn serves in an administrative position at Portsmouth Naval Medical Center.

The Navy issued a military protective order and Child Protective Services (CPS) told WAVY.com a safety plan was in place with Allie Strawn, the baby's mother, and the child in case this kind of situation should come up again. Matthew Strawn was not to have any contact with his wife or baby, who moved away from the barracks after the first incident.

According to court documents, Allie Strawn, 20, went to Wal-Mart March 4 and left the baby in Matthew Strawn's care at the barracks. Two hours later, she returned and saw Matthew hitting the child in the back in an attempt to burp him. Allie Strawn told him he was hitting the baby too hard, according to the documents, and the child started throwing up milk and blood.

She took the baby to Naval Medical Center, where doctors found out he had a broken rib. He is currently in the custody of CPS and being treated at Naval Medical Center.

Allie Strawn and Matthew Strawn were charged with felony child abuse and Matthew is in jail without bond. Both are due back in court in March.